With a respectable career and a solid reputation to your credit, you may think that nothing could compromise your happiness and success. However, when you are facing white collar criminal charges, you may quickly find out that your dream life is indeed more fragile than you imagined. Being accused of a crime can invite unheard of difficulties into your existence and threaten every aspect of your professional and personal lives. When you want to rebuild and go back to some semblance of normality as you face these charges, it is imperative that you take these pieces of advice into consideration.

Retain A Criminal Lawyer

Literally within minutes of learning about the charges against you, you should move quickly to get a criminal lawyer on retainer. Having an attorney by your side from the very first day of facing these allegations can be important if you want evidence and testimony in your favor to be subpoenaed and preserved. As noted by criminal attorney, Kevin DeVore,”The one reality that you must bear in mind is that when you have been or are facing a criminal indictment or charge of a white collar crime you are not in solid position to make appropriate, rational decisions regarding your legal situation … and your life.”

If you delay in hiring counsel, the charges against you could become mired in conspiracy and falsehoods. Rather than let your reputation and success be irreversibly damaged, you should hire a lawyer to help you prove your innocence.

Take A Leave of Absence

Dealing with criminal charges can become a full-time job in and of itself. It could become impractical for you to continue working while trying to defend yourself in court. If you have money in savings and could survive without drawing a regular paycheck for a few weeks or months, you should consider taking a leave of absence until the charges against you are proved false or otherwise controlled. If you have a 401k account that you can take a loan out against or sick days or vacation time that you could use during this absence, you can have some money to rely on while you prepare to face off against your accusers in court.

Explore Other Career Possibilities

Even if you are proved innocent, a cloud of suspicion may follow you if you stay with your current employer. If you want a fresh start in the professional arena, you may consider other career possibilities before you head back to work. Exploring jobs in other areas of the country could also be an option if the area where you live is small and rather gossipy. When you want to avoid living with suspicion and falsehoods against you, you could start over and enjoy a new life when you look into jobs elsewhere.

Rely On Your Friends and Family

Even if other people shun you or view you suspiciously, your family and friends may stay by your side throughout the ordeal. When you feel low and like you have nowhere to turn, you can draw strength by keeping in contact with your loved ones. Staying focused on your children who need you, your spouse who loves you, and your friends who believe in you, can help you find the resolve and strength to prove your innocence and rebuild after you fight these charges against you.

Your career and reputation could suffer unimaginable damage when you face white collar charges like fraud or theft in court. When you want to rebuild after your legal fight, you may wonder how you can gain control of your professional and personal lives again. You can forge a new future by utilizing these ideas.

Nadine Swayne submits this article to help those facing criminal charges while trying to keep their life together. Attorney Kevin DeVore has successfully represented a significant number of clients who stood in the same shoes and has unique perspective on the criminal justice system.